There is a great feeling of optimism and purpose as the students and staff at Orana Steiner School settle into the new school year.
In Steiner education, the new year is not just a time for resolutions but a celebration of growth and self-discovery.
Students are encouraged to reflect on their past achievements and challenges, which helps to grow a sense of responsibility and resilience, and then to look forward to the exciting opportunities to learn and grow that each new day brings.
This holistic approach instills in children the belief that every moment is an opportunity for renewal and growth, and that there is a natural rhythm to not only the year but, to each day, each season and each developmental phase of our human life.
The natural world demonstrates rhythm through the seasons, but everyone will find some form of rhythm in their own daily patterns as well, and in Steiner education, the rhythm of the day is integral in Orana’s educational approach.
“We must recognise that every day of life has a special value… we need to learn that each new day and each new year offers continual revelation.” Rudolf Steiner
At Orana, the morning is recognised as a time of focus where students are fresh and most productive academically.
The ‘Main Lesson’ is a two-hour lesson each morning where the students focus on in-depth learning of a particular topic over a three-week period.
During each Main Lesson, a variety of subjects are learnt through each topic. Topics can range from Ancient Rome to Fire or Bushcraft to Conics. Through the deeply immersive focus on a topic, the students learn about the interweaving of history, geography, maths, literature, art, technology and much more.
The middle of the day tends to focus on literacy and numeracy practice, foreign languages and artistic practice, building a sense of rhythm as well as igniting a passion for beauty and design.
In the afternoon, students trend towards the more physical and practical aspects of learning such as PE and woodwork.
Another important aspect of rhythm which is interwoven into Orana’s educational program is transition.
This is evident in the new year as students transition from one year level to the next as they grow in capacity and responsibility.
A meaningful example of this is the Rose Ceremony which celebrates the journey the children have been on so far in Kindergarten and now transitioning into Class One where the more formal learning and the loving authority of the class teacher period begins. As the children are led by their previous Kindergarten teacher out of the Kindergarten area, and toward their new Classroom, they are holding their rose and are quietly contemplating how much they have grown and anticipating how special their new adventure in Class One will be. They are then welcomed by their Class One teacher into their new classroom.
The school itself is also transitioning into a new season with new students and staff being welcomed into the new year along with the existing students and staff. The new Principal, James Goodlet, is enjoying meeting with the students and parents and getting to know the school and its community.
Each new year brings excitement and possibility and Orana Steiner School looks forward to seeing how each student grows and learns throughout it.
